She will begin taking appointments as an arbitrator, mediator, inquiries chair, legal expert in 2028
NSW governor Margaret Beazley AC KC has joined Atkin Chambers as a door tenant.
Her current term as governor ends on 1 May 2028. Subsequently, she will begin taking appointments as an arbitrator, mediator, chair of inquiries and legal expert on 2 May 2028.
Atkin Chambers chief executive and director of clerking David Barnes will supervise Beazley’s practice.
Chambers head Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC praised Beazley as “a role model for women in law for over 40 years”. Beazley took silk in 1989 and in 1993 became the first woman to sit exclusively in the Federal Court as a judge.
She was the first woman appointed to the NSW Court of Appeal and the first woman to preside over the court. She also logged stints as Administrator of the Government of the State of New South Wales. On 12 June 2006, she was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for service to the judiciary and the law.
Beazley became NSW governor in 2019 for a five-year term; since then, her run has been extended twice. She received the distinction of Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the people of New South Wales, particularly through leadership roles in the judiciary, and as a mentor of young women lawyers on 26 January 2020.
“Although as governor of New South Wales I do not directly practice law, I have never left the law. In particular, my role as governor involves being concerned with constitutional issues under the Constitution Act, (NSW) 1902”, Beazley said. “I have maintained a close association with my judicial and legal colleagues and continue to give legally based addresses as the occasion arises and keep up with current legal developments including arbitration".
She said she was looking forward to practice on her commission's completion.
